Guest Guest Steve Posted March 31, 2011 at 09:23 AM Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 at 09:23 AM Dear All, I'm the new Secretary of a 501.c.7. Robert's Rules says decisions are made by motions. Does that mean that if we don't make a motion and have it approved, then we haven't made a decision? If there seems to be general agreement on a subject, but no motion, what should the minutes say? Can we say 'The Board decided or agreed X or Y', or should we make motions as we go along? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Cisar Posted March 31, 2011 at 10:33 AM Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 at 10:33 AM Dear All, I'm the new Secretary of a 501.c.7. Robert's Rules says decisions are made by motions. Does that mean that if we don't make a motion and have it approved, then we haven't made a decision? If there seems to be general agreement on a subject, but no motion, what should the minutes say? Can we say 'The Board decided or agreed X or Y', or should we make motions as we go along?Decisions are made by motions. Some motions are assumed. "The Board decided on X" is decision by a motion. The group needs to be sure that they agree on what X is. So if the chair says "Does anybody object to paying $50 to paint the Gazebo", there is a motion that is adopted by unanimous consent if nobody objects. If there is contention in your society, it is best to have formal motions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David A Foulkes Posted March 31, 2011 at 11:37 AM Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 at 11:37 AM Dear All, I'm the new Secretary of a 501.c.7. Robert's Rules says decisions are made by motions. Does that mean that if we don't make a motion and have it approved, then we haven't made a decision? If there seems to be general agreement on a subject, but no motion, what should the minutes say? Can we say 'The Board decided or agreed X or Y', or should we make motions as we go along?Generally, it's good to work from motions. It can't hurt. But if we're talking about a small board meeting (about a dozen or fewer in attendance) the rules can be relaxed. Motions don't require seconds, and discussion can even proceed with no motion having been made. If the discussion leads the chair to think (most) everyone is in agreement, he can "assume" the motion and call for a vote.But, it should still be clear what everyone is voting on, and in that, the chair has a certain responsibility to make that clear to the voters. So, he couldn't very well say "So, waddya think, shall we spend a few bucks and fix this place up a little?" But he could say "So waddya think, shall we spend no more than $50 and paint the gazebo?"Assuming all in attendance agreed there was no objection, the minutes might say "It was agreed to expend up to $50 to paint the gazebo." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jstackpo Posted March 31, 2011 at 12:02 PM Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 at 12:02 PM Assuming all in attendance agreed, the minutes might say "It was agreed to expend up to $50 to paint the gazebo."Lets change that last sentence to read "Assuming there was no objection stated ...Agreed? Or rather, Any objections? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David A Foulkes Posted March 31, 2011 at 12:12 PM Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 at 12:12 PM Lets change that last sentence to read "Assuming there was no objection stated ...Agreed? Or rather, Any objections?Agreed. Correction noted. Thx. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert B Fish Posted March 31, 2011 at 12:22 PM Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 at 12:22 PM For information on motions assumed by the chairman see OI 2007-01.-Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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